Niles resident charged with setting bomb

Police were called Sunday to remove explosive device.

Police were called Sunday to remove explosive device.

June 14, 2006|By YaSHEKIA SMALLS Tribune Staff Writer

NILES Â? A Niles man was charged Wednesday with placing a pipe bomb on a propane tank at his house Sunday morning, officials said.

Tommy Leonard Caufman, 60, of 1073 Carberry Road in Howard Township, Cass County, is expected to surrender today at the Niles Law Enforcement Complex. Caufman faces two felony offenses that would result in at least 19 years in prison.

The two offenses include placing an explosive device near property, which carries a 15-year sentence and/or $10,000; and false report of a felony, which will result in four years and/or $2,000, according to the Cass County prosecutorÂ?s office.

Michigan State Police alleged Caufman manufactured the pipe bomb himself and placed it on the propane tank, according to a news release.

Police obtained a search warrant after hearing a confession and other evidence on the crime from a resident in the house, according to a news release.

Police suspected that Caufman was involved in the crime from the initial investigation.

They found no additional explosive devices or ingredients to make bombs during the search, police said.

The Michigan State Police Bomb Squad from Grand Rapids and a K-9 trained to detect bombs were involved in the search.